EXPERT PLANNED AND GUIDED BACKPACKING TRIPS IN THE NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, AND ARKANSAS REGION FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS
OFFERING A VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR YOUR GROUP INCLUDING COOKING FOOD, PROVIDING GEAR, NAVIGATION, ALTITUDE ACLIMATION, WATER FILTRATION, QUICK DEPLOY RAIN SHELTER, GEAR RECCOMENDATIONS, MORNING AND EVENING YOGA/STRETCHING SESSIONS, WEATHER AND WILDLIFE SAFETY, CPR AND FIRST AID CERTIFICATIONS, SATELITE COMMUNICATION DEVICE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, SHUTTLE SERVICE, AND THE LIST GOES ON. NO REQUEST IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL. INSTRUCTION CAN BE PROVIDED ON ALL ASPECTS OF OUR ADVENTURE.
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." — John Muir
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles” — Marie Davis
“Hiking is not escapism; its realism. People who choose to spend time outdoors are not running away from anything; we are returning to where we belong.” — Jennifer Pharr Davis
MY FAVORITE BACKPACKING TRAILS
Ouachita National Recreation Trail - A lesser known gem in the through hiking community, this heavily maintained 240 mile trail stretches from Talihina Oklahoma to Little Rock Arkansas. It features clear rivers and streams, clean 3 sided cabin style shelters situated about every 10 miles for the vast majority of the trail, and a wonderful low altitude mountain experience. This is a great trail to create a hike that is customized for your wants and needs. There are difficult sections and easy sections. The Queen Wilhelmena Lodge is located directly on the trail, and staying here or utilizing the bar and restaurant can be incorporated into the hike. If we hike near Story Arkansas, Lori at the Blue Bell Cafe can pick us up, cook us breakfast, take us to a motel, almost anything we would need. Lori is a legend of the Ouachita Trail and a big part of the volunteers and people who support the trail to make it such a wonderful experience. This is a convenient trail to be “rescued” from. There is going to be a road “nearby” at all times, so if you decide that backpacking isn’t for you, I can call you a shuttle. The OT is great for first time backpackers. The volunteers do an amazing job of keeping the trail and shelters in pristine condition. We wont encounter the crime, over crowding, rodent infested shelters, or any of the common issues associated with other through hikes. Sleeping in the shelters and not having to pitch a tent can be quite luxurious, and they are great for handling any inclement weather. Fall, spring, and sometimes winter can be the best times to hike the OT.
These are the trails I know and where I would feel fully qualified to plan your adventure. These locations provide world class hiking experiences. I fully believe these are some of the best kept secrets in backpacking. If you have your heart set on a different location, I can research and guide expeditions outside of my specified region.
Pecos Wilderness - Bypass the permit systems and crowds in Colorado with an equally stunning 430 mile trail network in Santa Fe, NM. We are likely to meet more big horn sheep and marmots on our adventure than people. The Pecos has it all with a seemingly endless supply of crystal clear alpine lakes, mountain summits above the tree line, waterfalls, the Sant Fe ski area, caves, and many campgrounds to access the trail network from a large number of locations. Highs in the summer time are between 60 and 70 degrees. I’m also a big fan of the city of Santa Fe. I can’t express how nice it is to come down off the mountain after a long hike to such a unique and accommodating pueblo style town. The downtown area is a great place to walk and explore, and there are a variety of spa resorts, art, unique architecture, day hikes, ancient cave dwellings, shopping, and many other attractions in Santa Fe. Our backpacking adventure could be but a piece of your dream vacation.
Eagle Rock Loop - a 27 mile backpacking loop in the Ouachita National Forest near Mena Arkansas. Widely considered the "crown jewel" of hiking in Arkansas, it connects three separate trails to take hikers over 9 mountain ridges and across more rivers and creeks than I could count. The loop offers an immersive wilderness experience with spectacular vistas, waterfalls, and abundant dispersed camping. One of my favorite aspects of hiking Eagle Rock is not having to carry water across dry stretches of trail. Delicious crystal clear water is readily available for the majority of the hike. The camping/rest area situation is very flexible due to the vast number of campsites, making the Eagle the most convenient backpacking experience I’ve seen to date.
https://www.trailgroove.com/blogs/entry/557-backpacking-the-elusive-eagle-rock-loop-of-arkansas
Gila Wilderness - contains over 600 miles of trail, hundreds of river crossings, ancient cave dwellings, beautiful mountains, and many options for great backpacking routes. You’re sure to meet a few lizards and see unique plant life on this hike. The Gila should be hiked in spring or fall, and is another lesser known epic hiking destination to explore in southern New Mexico.
https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/hiking-through-gila-national-forest/
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Have Questions?
Services and pricing can vary depending on the size of your group and how much service you are looking for. Do you need to borrow gear? Would you like me to carry and cook all your meals? How about a guide that sets up your camp at night and packs your camp in the mornings? Would you like a guide that reads scary short stories around the campfire? No service is too big or too small on my adventures. All hikes include any necessary treatment from my first aid kit or OTC medicines, sleeping pad inflations from my ultralight air pump, water filtration, navigation, general group hiking safety, dealing with wild life, etc. I will do everything I can to keep us safe and create a stress free environment to sharpen your backpacking skills and enjoy nature to the fullest.
Pricing per person would be less for a larger group. Every hike is going to be unique. A final price will require discussion. A deposit of $500 needs to be paid in advance for guided excursions. Deposit will be fully refundable up until 1 calendar month before the 1st scheduled day of the hike. Any remaining balance would be due in full before we hit the trails. I will cover all parking, camping, and permit fees on the trip.